HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-11-19-TAC-min.pdf TRANSPORTATION A l)V I SI)R V COMMITTEE MINUTES
NOVEMBER 19, 1992
PRESENT
Elizabeth Andrews, Sara Arnold, Barbara Lucas, William Mix, Nicholas Santosuosso
JNTRODIJCTION
Transportation Coordinator Barbara Lucas introduced herself to the Committee.
TAC ANNI JAI. REPORT PICTURE
Joyce Fearnside took a photograh of TAC for the Town Annual Report.
BUDGET
Nick advised TAC that realators may be interested in utilizing Lexpress buses
for tours of the town for prospective home buyers on Sundays. He agreed to pursue this
matter with the Chamber of Commerce.
Barbara presented TAC with three budget options. One represented a six month
extenstion of the existing contract. The second option was with one wheelchair lift
equipped bus and the third was with all chair equipped buses. The current contract runs
out in January 1994 There was general agreement that if the current contract can
legally be extended, we should extend it. As the contact was transferred to Joseph's
Limousine Service, it may be possible to do this. Barbara Lucas will check with Norm
Cohen about the legality of extending the transferred contract. It was also generally
agreed that Barbara Lucas should present Rick White with the highest budget numbers
as we don't know if any other option would be legal at this time.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING SERVICE TO BluRITNCTTON MAJ.1
TAC agreed that additional sevice this year for holiday shoppers should be
provided if possible. The service depends upon obtaining a subsidy from the Mall.
Barbara provided figures of ridership from previous years that reflected low ridership
Hr this special service, but it was generally agreed that we should attempt to provide
extra service on Friday and Saturday evenings to the Mall and service on all routes on
Sunday afternoons. On Friday and Saturday evenings, one bus would go to the Mall
every half hour through 900 p.m. On Sundays, all routes would run
from 1:00 p.m. to 5-30 p.m. It was suggested that we also attempt to obtain a subsidy
from the Middlesex Mall.
DEPOT SOUARF SURCOMMITTF.F PROPOSAL S FOR EMERY PARK
TAC considered two of several proposals put forth by the Design Advisor=,,
Committee regarding options for Lexpress in a redesigned Emery Park There was
general agreement that the first option in which the buses would depart from the area of
Mass Avenue behind the MBTA stop was not feasible as it would add to the time needed
to complete routes It was agreed that the =ccond option could work. This option would
have the bus terminal in the area in front of the Harvard Video Store and the
Yang-'ze River Restaurant. Problems invoi"ed with the second option discussed
included possible objections from the merchants, the lack of benches in this location and
the possibility of problems of passengers crossing from the benches in the current
waiting area to the buses. An advantage to this plan would be that it could provide an
accessible depot for wheelchair users. Another option that would include a passengers'
island to be built in the area now used as the terminal was deemed the most desirable,but
as the Design Advisory Committee has offerred to work with us in a trial of the second
option, the Committee agreed that we would cooperate with this trial. Nick agreed to
contact Steve Hurley of the Design Advisory Committee regarding this plan.
ROUTF 7 Rr 6 RiDFRSHIP i.FVFi SIFXTRA BITS
TAC discussed the fact that ridership levels on Route 2 and Route 6 at times when
students are riding continue to be so high that there is frequently not enough space on the
bus for all who wish to ride. I he arrangement with Joseph's Limosine Service which
allows us the use of the extra bus at no cost will not continue and funds will have to be
allocated. It was suggested that an increase in tunds may occur in December when
people who bought three month passes in September buy nei, passes. Also. there was a
suggestion 01 charging a 'rush-hour surcharge Neither ot these is likely to raise a large
amount of revenue. Srr. pointed out that there it cudtnon in our budget that could
cover the cost as long as revenue is kept up and Nei prices do not incret se. Barbara will
determine the actual cost tor an extia bus and len that actual cost s known t may be
necessary to make Kick 'v hitt aware of the situation.
META ALCESSIEILIi Y IsLEFOKI
lsarhara exnressed concern about the promise for accessibility in the contract to be
bid in 1993 The description et oul accessibility that was suhmiled to the MH'I'A with
last year's contract will probably have to be amended_ but 'l AC. agreed that Norm Cohen
will hili c to be consulted before we know what changes arc nCCCsaiv 1 vnn inti gin
may also be able to help with this report_
line to the lateness ot the hour 'I AL agreed to adiourn and meet again on
December lit.
Kespectt ul Iv submitted.
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